Patent GB-1435186-A (GB)
Title: Forming of heel end portions of shoe uppers
IPC: A43D21/02
Filed: 1973-08-06
Abstract: 1435186 Boots etc BRITISH UNITED SHOE MACHINERY CO Ltd 6 Aug 1973 [7 Aug 1972] 37188/73 Heading A3B  A machine for forming the heel end portions of shoe uppers includes a carrier device 2 having a plurality of last supports, each last support having an upper tensioning device associated therewith, the arrangement being such that an operator may place a last with an insole on the bottom on the last support at station A, then assemble an upper over the last and cause the tensioning device to tension the heel end of the 'upper about the last (also at station A), the carrier device 2 then moves the last with the tensioned upper to backpart moulding station C where an outer moulding member is applied to the heel end of the upper, then moves the last to a fastening station D where the lasting margin adjacent the heel end is secured to the insole and finally moves the last back to station A where the last is removed from the machine. The machine may also include an activating station B, located between stations A and C, provided with means for activating a stiffener in the heel end of the upper. As described the carrier device consists of a turntable 2 (Figs. 1, 4) provided with four last supports and which is rotatably mounted on a central column 1, the turntable 2 being rotated through 90‹ between each operation by means of a piston and cylinder device 8, a roll on the piston rod 7 engaging abutments 3 to 6 on the turntable 2. The lasts 37 are supported on last pins 53 carried by arms 52 provided at the top ends of uprights 16 to 19. Each upper tensioning device includes a pair of grippers 28, 29 (Fig 2) adjustably mounted on a carrier 'block which is rotatably mounted on a pivot pin 124 on arms 24 to 27 pivoted to the uprights 16 to 19. The grippers 28, 29 are moved downwardly to tension the upper by means of piston and cylinder device 51 (Fig. 4) the upper being correctly aligned on the last by manipulation of handles 35, 36 which tilt the gripper carrier block about the pivot pin 124. In use an operator places a last with an insole on the last support at station A, assembles an upper over the last, the grippers then tension the upper and the operator aligns the upper using handles 35, 36. The turntable 2 is then rotated through 90‹ to move the last to activating station B (Fig. 5) where a hood 55 containing heating elements 56 is moved against the last by piston and cylinder 57. The hood 55 is then retracted and the turntable is again rotated to move the last to a backpart moulding station C. At station C (Fig. 6) a heel band 58 is moved against the last by a piston rod 62 and when the band 58 contacts the heel end of the last a conical portion on piston rod 62 engages rolls 60, 61 to close the band around the last, the band. 58 then being inflated to apply moulding pressure. The heel band is then retracted and the turntable 2 moves the last to a fastening station D. At station D the heel end of the lasting margin is tacked or stapled to the insole or is bonded to the insole by adhesive. The turntable 2 then moves the last to station A where the last is removed. A fresh last and upper is placed in the machine each time the turntable is rotated through 90‹.